The eerie thing about it all was that Vitori Kesten didn’t seem to mind that people were voting against him. Instead, his hands were clasped before him as he stared intently at each person before they made their vote, as if taking mental note on who each one of them were. It was a dangerous look, and Hatan could barely keep himself from jumping out of his cover and murdering the man right in front of the whole council.
But the result of the vote was important. He needed to know who was in support of which house. No doubt many of them were concerned about possible retribution if the house they voted for did not succeed the throne.
Hatan was already ahead by three votes when it reached the last house representative, who was none other than Roan Melema, the young lady Hatan had danced with shortly before her father was murdered. As she stood, she barely glanced up at Vitori before redirecting her eyes to the floor. “House Melema’s vote is with Avidazj Kesten.” She sat back down, not daring to look back up.
Hatan ground his teeth. It was only too obvious she’d been manipulated by the Kestens’ intimidations. Either way, Hatan had still won the vote, something he’d not expected.
More thunder boomed across the large room as Obet Ilanitan stood from his seat again and approached the center of the ring of chairs. He must have been selected as the mediator. He regarded a weathered scroll in his hand as he addressed the crowd, but a low buzz of chatter lingered. “I will read off the total votes. First, we have 17 votes for Avidazj Kesten, one vote for Devari Banistad, who voted for himself…” A bit of laughter rang through the room. “And the vote of Hatan Padarro was for Migo Rikaydian, giving Migo one vote, and 19 votes for Hatan Padarro.”
A round of applause filled the room, several nobles and attendants clapping. A few of them cheered despite the fact that none of them knew Hatan was watching. Vitori, Nadim, and Khadij remained seated, not at all concerned with losing the vote. Hatan had to wonder where Avidazj was if all this scheme was devoted to getting him on the throne.
Obet held his hand up, waiting for everyone to quiet down.
Once the crowd stilled enough for Obet to speak, it was instead Vitori’s voice that rang out through the room. “Thank you, everyone, for this riveting experiment.” Obet remained standing in the middle, mouth open. Vitori continued speaking. “We all know that Hatan Padarro is a capable warrior. His service as a captain is unquestionable, but what Jehubal needs is proper management and a secure future.” He made a gesture. Soldiers from around the entire room started closing in on the nobles, and the door to the rest of the palace opened, admitting several dozen more.
Hatan slid his sword free of its sheath. Sleet and sand. He’d butcher Vitori Kesten.
“Now I’ll execute everyone that voted against King Avidazj,” Vitori said. He gestured again as weapons were drawn and screams filled the hall.
Chapter thirteen
Ball
Katsi burst up over the edge of the balcony and hurried through the door, still floating just above the floor. She had to smile at herself. Had she really gotten so accustomed to flying that she preferred it over walking? Changing directions was becoming second nature.
Adrina was already waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs that led up to Katsi’s room. The glare Katsi got from her was enough to make her hide her smile as she cut the magic off and dropped beside Adrina.
“Having a little fun?” Adrina said, grabbing some of Katsi’s stray hairs and trying to get them back in order.
“It feels good to fly,” Katsi said. She didn’t want to tell anyone about Scales. She didn’t know why, but she felt like he needed protecting. The fewer people knew about him, the better. Perhaps Alyssad already knew about him though. He seemed to know about everything else already.
“Let’s hurry along,” Adrina said, pursing her lips as she turned down the hall, shoes clacking on the tiled floor.
Katsi hurried to walk beside her. “What is this a celebration of, anyway?”
“Do they not celebrate End Season in Jehubal?”
Katsi shrugged. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“Well, it’s a celebration of the end of the constant rain of New Season. The rain is good, of course, and the whole Ring benefits from it, but End Season is when we get to harvest some of the richest produce as a result of the moisture. I’m not a farmer myself, but I suppose good food is something worth celebrating.”
Katsi could certainly support that notion. As they walked down the hall, Katsi was surprised how empty it was. There were only two guards in the hall, perhaps only there to prevent visitors from wandering through the castle.
“Have you been into the ballroom yet?” Adrina asked as they neared the end of the hall.
Katsi shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”
“It’s one of the largest rooms in the castle. Big enough to fit six-hundred guests.”
Katsi tried to quantify that in her head, but couldn’t even imagine what six-hundred people in a room might look like. Two large candelabras stood to either side of the door, and a servant wearing a smart suit of black and white bowed his head to them as they approached. He swung the door open and ushered them inside.
Music spilled out from the room, such vibrant, active tones, like nothing Katsi had ever heard before. She was struck suddenly with the idea that she might be expected to dance. She never considered herself afraid to do anything socially, but dancing in front of other people filled her with a sudden sense of dread.
Adrina hooked arms with Katsi and led her further into the room. Groups of people sat around at tables on the outer walls of the massive room, while some danced at the center of the floor, all swirling dresses and flicking capes. Large windows stretched across the top of the ceiling, letting in a myriad of colors through stained glass filters. Two large, crystalline chandeliers hung from the ceiling, glowing with orange firelight. A few impossibly tall mirrors decorated the walls. Above the mirrors, at the top of the second story level, a series of intricate carvings of soldiers and battles stretched from one side of the room to the other. If not for all the people, she wouldn’t hesitate to fly up to them to get a better look.
The floor was ringed with a soft, red carpet, but the center where everyone danced was tiled with polished stone. The designs were astounding, with varying shades of red and brown in the formation of flowers. She’d never known that a floor could be so beautiful. Then again, everything in the castle was beautiful.
“What are we supposed to do here?” Katsi asked.
“The emperor has not discussed anything in particular with me, but all the lords and ladies of Mazanib were invited, and around here, when the emperor invites, you attend.”
Katsi could understand that. She wondered how many of them knew that the emperor was some ancient shaman. Probably none. But the detail that escaped her was how they could see the same man every day simply not getting older. Wouldn’t that raise questions?
Several people stared at the two of them as they made their way toward one of the tables.
“As long as I’m not expected to dance,” Katsi said.
Adrina smiled. “Don’t you worry. That’s part of why I’m here.”
Katsi tilted her head at Adrina. “What do you mean?”
“When you entered with me, that placed a label on you,” Adrina said. “Most of these people are acutely aware of who resides in this castle. It practically puts a flag over our heads saying we’re not available for courting.”
“Courting?” Katsi said, lips curling. “Is that what all this is about?”
“Technically, though to clarify, I don’t just mean romantic courting. Others like to use it as a means of strengthening social or political bonds, but whatever the case, they seem to know that the emperor’s personal entourage is not involved in any of that. We care about education, public safety, improved health, and so on. The emperor attends to all the politicking, while we enjoy the freedom to seek after a better world without restrictions on society or resources.”
Katsi nodded to herself. She had to admit that it seemed like a very useful arrangement. The only question she had about the other shamans was what their motivations were. Did any of them question the emperor?
